Sometimes it is difficult to find a crime novel that also has an intriguing premise and raises thought-provoking questions that can make readers enjoy the story for more than its fast-paced action and clever twists and turns. ‘Zack’s Choice’ by Harry Gilleland offers fans of the genre all the good things that other novels lack: a coming-of-age story and the invitation to ask themselves what they would do if they were in the main character’s place.

Zack Gresham is a law student who is preparing for a great career and a perfect life that has already been designed by his parents. Given that his mother is a lawyer and his father is a federal judge, it’s obvious that he couldn’t have chosen a different path in life. Also, he intends to marry his high school girlfriend after he graduates from Law School, so it seems that both a family and a career are waiting for him. However, before all of this happens, Zack wants to take an once-in-a-lifetime motorcycle trip through the southern states. Even though his parents don’t agree at first, he convinces them that he needs to escape for a bit before he has to go back to school.

At the beginning of the novel, Zack is an innocent young man who isn’t sure of what he wants. Even if he wanted something else, he probably wouldn’t have the courage to confront his parents. All of that changes once he meets Bobby in New Mexico, and a weird turn of events brings them together in Las Vegas. Zack discovers a lifestyle he never knew existed and this changes his perspective on everything. Bobby has such a great influence on him that he finally understands that he does have a choice and that it would be a loss to live his life the way others planned it for him.

Harry Gilleland is amazing when it comes to character development. Bobby is Zack’s exact opposite. He is probably the most intriguing character in the book, and his story is unconventional and unexpected. Readers will be eager to find out as much as possible about him, especially because everything about Bobby is covered in mystery. Zack’s friendship with him will prove to be life-changing, which means that by the end of the novel he will become a completely different person.

One of the best things about ‘Zack’s Choice’ is that it raises some thought-provoking questions. Readers are invited to think about what living your life truly means, and how a single choice can affect all the things you already had planned.

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Jo Ammons has been recognized in newspapers worldwide since 1999.
A columnist with a passion for helping support independent book authors, Jo has written over 689 book reviews featuring emerging authors in all genres. Her reviews have appeared on yahoo.com, gather.com,goodreads.com, and topbooksworthreading.com. As an armchair techie, she has kept her large Pinterest following up to date on the latest geek news and gadgets as offical pinner for vr-zone.com. Contact Jo at jo@topbooksworthreading.com